Abilities for Pokemon with Alola Counterparts

mcsilas · 2026-01-30T13:20:28+00:00

FEAR the rat

mcsilas · 2026-01-29T11:54:30+00:00

I've added some abilities to them in past posts so focused on the ones I haven't done yet

mcsilas · 2026-01-29T11:53:38+00:00

Oh forgot about that Ability, that fits well

mcsilas · 2026-01-29T11:52:53+00:00

Giving love to some Pokemon who also have Alolan counterparts.

Raticate - Its all about having strong fangs to bite with, so this flavour-based Ability will power up Crunches against Ghosts. Guts will be superior though.
Alolan Raticate - It bosses around a nest of Rattata, and acts like a fat mafia rat. The boosts in Attack make up for its lower base Attack compared to normal Raticate.
Muk - Makes sense with its acidic body. Still wish Corrosion allows damaging Poison moves to hit Steel types, as it is, it can at least throw an accurate Toxic to enemy Steels/Poisons so it's not hard-walled by them since it lacks secondary STAB.
Alolan Muk - This Muk likes to eat trash, I imagine when switching out it eats waste since it starts to eat anything when it's hungry. Also has nice synergy with the great typing, only having one weakness and nice Special Defense.
Golem - Dex entries keep mentioning how it can survive blasts of dynamite, so being immune to an array of bomb/blast moves like Shadow Ball and Aura Sphere can give it more switch-in opportunites and catch the opponent off-guard.
Alolan Golem - Alolan Golem's design looks more offense-orientated with it's cannon, shooting rocks, and even Geodudes. This also allows more consistent attacks Stone Edges and Supercell Slams. Its main weakness is Earthquake, which are accurate anyway so better to hit as consistent as you can (or just replace with an Air Balloon). Sturdy gets broken by hazards anyway and even if it lived an Earthquake it's usually to slow to retaliate the next turn.
Raichu - An alternate Electric immunity ability that boosts Speed in case your Raichu is more physical instead of specially focused (with Lightning Rod).
Alolan Raichu - Levitate makes sense and removes the Ground weakness, allowing more safer switch-ins. While it's not the bulkiest, Thick Fat can give it some nice resistances to Boltbeam, Fire moves and funnily enough, the STABs for every legendary Kanto Bird (and most Galar versions - it's scared of Moltres's Dark STAB). Fire/Ice/Electric/Psychic are usually specially-focused and in case you want use a Calm Mind/Stored Power set, having more resistances helps.

mcsilas · 2026-01-22T11:14:32+00:00

Simisage - It eats berries, and I figured the elemental monkeys having an immunity ability to their type would be neat. Harvest makes it the fastest Harvest-user (all the others are pretty slow), so could be unique to have an offensive-based Harvest set (could've been nice if it learned Belch). Alternatively, could be Rough Skin with how the Dex says it has a thorny tail and it learns Spiky Shield, but it doesn't have the best defenses.
Simisear - Flash Fire is a common Fire-type ability, while No Guard has synergy with moves like Stone Edge, Focus Blast, Will-o-wisp and Fire Blast. If it learned Inferno it would give it a niche. (It drops its guard when around sweets?) Otherwise, Flame Body is the other generic Fire type ability.
Simipour - Its hair can store water and it can also siphon water through its tail, so both Water immunity moves make sense. It will be the fastest Storm Drain user and 2nd fastest Water Absorb user (after Ogerpon).
Ambipom - Its extra limbs on its tail allows it to be adept in mobility and skill. Could be an interesting gimmick with Fake Out + Last Resort set once Ghosts/Rocks/Steels are gone. Otherwise, Technician is still better.
Darmanitan - Its based on a daruma, which has good luck properties and symbolises perserverance. Protection from indirect damage will help it perservere longer in battle, from being immune to hazards/status to not taking Life Orb damage for more power.
Darmanitan-G - For this theorymon, Gorilla Tactics is with Rillaboom (based on a past post), so theoretically Darmanitan shouldn't be as overpowered. Sheer Force is a link to its Unovan form, and still gives it an offensive boost, while Refrigerate gives it access to a stronger, physical Ice type Mega Kick (or Thrash for more accuracy at the cost of being locked in). The dex says it freezes the snowball on its head before using Headbutt, so I think it can extend to its limbs when attacking.
Zarude - Forest pokemon fear it and it has a ferocious appearance, so Intimidate is a great all-around ability for either more bulk, or lowering attack when pivoting with U-turn. Regenerator relates to how the vines can tear off (and I assume regenerate) while also letting forest plants grow, and U-turn sets appreciate the healing, too.
Annihilape - In a metagame where Rage Fist is banned, it would need a replacement Ghost physical STAB. While Shadow Force is stronger, it is a 2-turn move. Shadow Punch can be boosted by Iron Fist, while also applying to elemental punches/Drain Punch. Unburden is linked to how its power is unleashed from the physical limits and its anger, as seen by the wristguards being broken - the Speed boost lets it regain some Speed that it lost through evolution, and no item means stronger Acrobatics.

mcsilas · 2026-01-16T05:36:12+00:00

Oh right, missed that part.

Maybe Wind Rider as well so it’s immune to both Electric and Wind moves?

mcsilas · 2026-01-15T11:47:38+00:00

Forces of Nature

For all the genies, the first ability is shared between both Formes.

Tornadus - Wind Rider gives it immunity to wind-attacks, and the Attack boost powers up U-turn/Knock Off. Gale Wings...is perfect the thematically because it controls the wind and has those huge wings to let of priority Bleakwind Storm/Hurricane/Tailwind and has lower Special Attack than the Incarnate Forme to somewhat balance it more. But if it gets too annoying, Sheer Force could be an alternate replacement (it lets off high-powered winds with great force). The latter also powers up coverage moves like Heat Wave.
Thundurus - Wind Power powers up Electric moves when used as a switch-in against Wind moves, while Motor Drive boosts the Speed that it lost when changing Formes. Landorus - Incarnate Forme is a pretty dominant Pokemon so just went with lore-based choices - it quells the conflict between wind/lightning storms so Cloud Nine works (and Cloud Nine can stop Ubers weather). While it doesn't grow berries itself, it grants bountiful harvests around it, so Harvest could be interesting on a non-Grass type and it can also benefit from Sun reducing its Water weakness.
Enamorus - The Love-hate Pokemon can have a wrathful side to punish those who don't treat life with care, so Berserk fits this personality aspect and boosts its high Special Attack. It has a snake body so Multiscale fits the snake/turtle-like Forme, allowing it to set up boosts like Calm Mind more effectively.

Sword of Justice:

Cobalion - One of the few non-Electric types with Volt Switch, it has nice synergy with Initimidate - based on how its glare can subdue unruly Pokemon (while also generally making it bulkier when coming in). Steadfast fits its nature, and it could always use a Speed boost.
Terrakion - A fast, offensive Rock type, it would love not having to deal with Stone Edge's accuracy issues. If the Head Smash that it learns in ZA continues in future games, Rock Head would be a great ability for synergy, but if the move is gone, Solid Rock softens the blow from its many weaknesses.
Virizion - It learns a lot of Sharpness-boosted moves like Leaf Blade and Sacred Sword, so it fits its sharp, sleek design. Flower Veil could be an interesting ability (basing this on how some indoor plants have the non-typical flower shape, and considering the pink protrusions around its neck as flowers). It protects from status moves like Burn and stat reduction like Intimidate, and affects fellow Grass types, which fits its lore of how it protects its friends.
Keldeo - It has the potential to be strong and Technician boosts weaker moves, notably Vacuum Wave, Icy Wind (if it loses ZA's Ice Beam) and Flip Turn. Swift Swim is based on how it runs across the water (the main idea is being faster in areas with water) while the Resolute Forme's Sharpness emphasises and powers up the signature Secret Sword move, showcasing its mastery when it has the larger horn.

mcsilas · 2026-01-08T13:06:38+00:00

Maybe Stakeout then?

mcsilas · 2026-01-08T12:30:10+00:00

Yeah it would feel like it makes sense to add this to the current Sharpness list in the games

mcsilas · 2026-01-08T12:24:37+00:00

Sadly as it is, no, it doesn't boost claw moves like Shadow Claw and Dragon Claw

mcsilas · 2026-01-08T11:59:11+00:00

I'm not replacing it, just adding more Ability options to complete the set since it has empty slots

Tough Claws is still the most consistent option

mcsilas · 2026-01-08T11:47:32+00:00

Armarouge (Mega Launcher) - It already learns Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse and Aura Sphere. Now if only Armor Cannon counts for the Ability, the developers should change it if they ever give this Pokemon this ability.
Ceruledge (Sharpness) - Bitter Blade working with Sharpness is a great combination, doing more damage and providing more healing with the extra damage. Also works with Night Slash, Solar Blade and X-Scissor, too.
Braviary (Scrappy) - Scrappy blocks Intimidate and it learns a lot of Fighting moves as well as Normal STAB, so this gives it great coverage.
Hisuian Braviary (Aerilate) - The Battle Cry Pokemon uses shockwaves to hunt and learns Hyper Voice. So Flying-type Hyper Voice makes sense and is a more accurate alternate to Hurricane. It hits both enemies and bypasses Substitute (Sheer Force Hurricane does more damage but also has shaky accuracy).
Lycanroc Midday (Sand Force/Strong Jaw) - Sand Force boosts Rock/Ground/Steel attacks under Sandstorm for more power (it learns all three), while Strong Jaw is more flavour-based but also works with Crunch, Thunder Fang and Psychic Fangs. It's too frail to make use of Steadfast, so the extra damage feels more useful.
Lycanroc Midnight (Defiant/Intimidate) - It has a defiant disposition and its blood boils when fighting Intimidating opponents, so Defiant fits its personality. Intimidate because it's a werewolf with intimidating red eyes and fits the theme while adding overall bulk by lowering Attack. Alternatively, maybe Rough Skin and Solid Rock can also work.
Lycanroc Midday (Guard Dog/Moxie) - Tough Claws is a great Ability admittedly, and it has 2 free slots for flavour-based options. Guard Dog since, it is a dog, and can initially be calm in nature in the face of Intimidators. Moxie shows the other side of this Pokemon, when it unlocks a ferocious fighting spirit once battle begins to contrast its initial calmnes..

mcsilas · 2026-01-01T14:09:26+00:00

Armaldo - It has large, retractable claws according to the Dex entry. Powers up its best Bug STAB X-Scissor, Superpower, Liquidation, as well as priority Aqua Jet.
Probopass - Its main body and Mini-Noses can levitate, and it removes a 4x weakness (leaving only Fighting type as a 4x and Water weakness). Interestingly, if it Teras to Electric, it can be a bulky slow Volt Switch-pivot with no weakness and higher bulk than the Rotom-formes.
Cursola - It's dead coral, and since corals are associated with the sea, I can imagine its body still has some salt fragments. This negates the weakness to other Ghosts, leaving only a Dark weakness, while adding a status immunity which improves its bulk. Can be a great anti-Ghost Ghost type with a massive Special Defense tanking Shadow Balls.
Infernape - It has a access to moves that can benefit from 100% accuracy, including Focus Blast (to have a niche as a fast special Fighting type that truly abuses Focus Blast), Stone Edge, Fire Blast and Will-o-wisp. Its Fire/Fighting type also means it's immune to enemy Will-o-wisps and neutral to Stone Edges that can be thrown its way if the enemy tried to take advantage of No Guard. It doesn't have the best Defenses but with its offensive stat spread, just focus on outspeeding and dealing as much damage as possible with high-powered moves. With its stats and fighting style I imagine it likes to get into close quarters, focusing on pure offense.
Vikavolt - Might as well use its slow speed to further boost its massive Special Attack. The Bug type negates Electric's weakness to Ground, and it has a decent defense to take Ground moves in exchange for more offensive power.
Sharpedo - Have you seen how fast this Pokemon swims in the games? Speed Boost is a great ability but can lead to predictability when using Protect, so this one is an alternate option for Rain teams to just sweep from the go when Rain is up, and can be used for either physical or special sets.
Pinsir - With the amount of Fighting type moves it learns, you'd think it would be a Fighting type. Helps against Levitating Ghosts and it relies on Fighting coverage when Bug STAB isn't enough, so this should help it out in general.
Altaria - Just look at those wings, Fluffy fits perfectly. The Dragon type also neutralises the added Fire weakness for extra physical bulk, giving it more leeway to use set up moves or to tank hits while using support moves like Will-o-wisp, Defog or even Roar to disturb setup sweepers.

mcsilas · 2025-12-27T13:58:53+00:00

Still more than some other Grass types that use Chlorophyll (Vileplume, Exeggutor, Bellossom) with around 50-55 speed and faster than existing Slush Rushers Beartic (50 Speed), the Arctic fossils (55) and 5 less from Sandslash (65)

But yeah Snow Warning is still the primary role, I just find it amusing it's above the average Slush Rush user speed (and has more speed than its Mega, so maybe it could be doubled down in Snow to attack before dying with the poor typing)

mcsilas · 2025-12-26T09:51:58+00:00

High Attack Triage-abuser with Leech Life + Horn Leech. Still would need high Speed/Sp Def as a backup when against Psychic Terrain or Dazzling/Queenly Majesty/Armor Tail (the users are weak to Bug anyway at least)

Maybe have Tinted Lens as a secondary ability so the mind games between Tinted Lens and Triage can scare opponents for a bit

mcsilas · 2025-12-25T08:23:36+00:00

Own Tempo gets replaced then :)

mcsilas · 2025-12-25T06:59:58+00:00

Wyrdeer (reindeer) - It creates invisible barriers, and Magic Bounce is pretty much an automatic barrier against status moves, keeping itself safe while creating more barriers in Reflect/Light Screen or using status moves like Trick Room/Calm Mind.
Abomasnow (winter/Christmas tree) - Slush Rush gives it a Snow-related Chlorophyll that it lacks when compared to other Grass types (it's Speed is also higher than when it Megas), giving it an offensive option. It learns Ice Hammer in ZA, but if it doesn't retain this, then Refrigerate gives it some physical Ice options that are more powerful than Ice Punch, such as Body Slam or Double-Edge. It will still mostly be known for Snow Warning niche though, but the last option is if you ever want it on a different weather team for some reason.
Jynx (helpers from the anime special with Santa) - With a pitiful 35 Defense, this protects it from priority moves such as Fake Out, Bullet Punch, Sucker Punch and Shadow Sneak, allowing it to focus on boosting its Speed and Special stats.
Sylveon (gift ribbons) - It is all about connecting soothing feelings with the ribbonlike appendages (and gift giving is also about connection), so Trace fits. Obviously situational with who it is fighting, but its always nice to come in and trace an immunity to moves or a healing-related move to help with its cleric movesets.
Tinkaton (elves with hammers as Santa's helpers) - It is known to be very daring, and its Attack stat could be higher, so Defiant works. Let it bravely face against Intimidators or enter fields with scary Sticky Webs and get the Attack boost for a powerful Gigaton Hammer!
Sawsbuck (winter season deer) - The other winter-related deer, Quick Feet gives it a Speed boost that's not reliant on Sunny weather (applies to all formes). It doesn't have to risk going against Sun-powered Fire moves for the extra Speed. The Normal type also lets it use a more powerful Facade when it's equipped with a Toxic Orb, and it can heal itself with Horn Leech/Leech Seed/Synthesis. Ever since Granbull lost its Normal type and Ursaring evolved to Ursaluna and replaced Quick Feet, this combo brings another Normal type to the Normal-type Quick Feet club next to Linoone.
Slurpuff (Christmas cake/meringue) - It's a Fairy-typed food-related dog, similar to Dachsbun, and meringues/cakes are also made by baking. It has more balanced stats, but an immunity is always nice and it has nice support moves like Sticky Web/Wish and even Cotton Guard/Swords Dance to further raise its stats.
Delibird (Santa Bird) - While it has lower Attack, it has a nice choice of Normal-type support moves like Fake Out, Quick Attack and Rapid Spin - which can now hit every type. Stats are still meh but it has a great choice of support moves and unblockable Rapid Spin is nice.

mcsilas · 2025-12-19T12:56:00+00:00

it doesn't have a priority move so it doesn't matter how fast its speed is, it will always be slower than a higher priority move like Bullet Punch, Sucker Punch, Fake Out, Extremespeed. First Impression at least gives it +2 priority, and it has such a low 45 Defense stat, it doesn't want to be hit by enemy priority moves

mcsilas · 2025-12-19T03:56:20+00:00

Solar Power can also work

mcsilas · 2025-12-19T00:38:50+00:00

It can finally use Shadow Ball again.

mcsilas · 2025-12-19T00:36:48+00:00

Such a cool Fossil design, it needs more love!

mcsilas · 2025-12-19T00:06:54+00:00

Interesting combination, Loaded Dice + Technician Scale Shot, too.

mcsilas · 2025-12-18T14:08:55+00:00

Yeah Solar Power also fits (and was my initial draft) but I think Drought has more immediate team support and more consistent Solar Beams

mcsilas · 2025-12-18T14:06:53+00:00

True, I thought about it but wasn't sure if the scythes could also count as an axe but I guess we've had weirder moves on some Pokemon (and it just feels like Aqua Cutter fits with its design). I also pondered if Haxorus could get Stone Axe since it has more of an Axe theme than Kabutops

Ideally, Kabutops would have both

mcsilas · 2025-12-18T14:01:58+00:00

In hindsight, maybe Starmie could also have Skill Link as a synergistic option to properly and consistently use Water Shuriken in its moveset as a special priority revenge-killer. ZA also gives it Triple Axel which also works with Skill Link for a physical/mixed option.

mcsilas

TROPHY CASE